MUSICIANSHIP

WHAT IS MUSICIANSHIP?

Studying musicianship comes hand in hand with learning an instrument. It’s music theory, knowing where the notes are on the stave, being able to tap out rhythms, understand key, tonality, rhythmic structure and chords. It’s being able to write scales, transpose melodies, write and recognise intervals. Sounds complicated!

If you’re learning an instrument with us we gradually incorporate the appropriate level of musicianship into your lesson for you to put into practical use. Some of the children studying an instrument at beginner level with us won’t know they are learning musicianship too!

WHEN DO I NEED TO LEARN MUSICIANSHIP SEPARATELY TO MY INSTRUMENTAL LESSON?

Once children reach a certain level on their chosen instrument, it’s important to delve deeper into musicianship as a separate study. At this point, students start to have a more involved sense of learning music and are ready to make stronger relationships between their knowledge and their practical skills. To be able to play well, musicians must also understand why and how music works.

Students wishing to take AMEB exams, will need to have passed an AMEB grade 2 musicianship exam before being entered for a grade 5 exam on their chosen instrument. To take a grade 8, they must have passed a grade 3 level musicianship exam.

HOW DO I MAKE TIME FOR MUSICIANSHIP?

Many of our students opt to tag on an extra 15-30 minutes a week to their instrumental lesson in order to allot some dedicated time to learning musicianship. Together, student and teacher work through recommended musicianship books.

WHEN SHOULD I START TAGGING ON EXTRA TIME ONTO MY INSTRUMENTAL LESSON FOR MUSICIANSHIP?

We suggest around grade 2 or 3 level, also depending on age. As musicianship is not taught in a class setting but instead tagged onto the beginning or end of your instrumental lesson, it is charged at the same rate as your lesson. (For example, a 30 min musicianship session is $36.)

IS MUSICIANSHIP BORING?

No Way! Musicianship can be a fascinating eye opener for children learning an instrument when playing ability meets theoretical knowledge. We find it interesting to teach, so we figure this may make it more exciting to learn.